The Mt. Vernon Register News published the following on Thursday,
December 5, 1935 which read:
John David Dodds, coroner of Jefferson county and one of its best known
residents, died at his home, 216 south Twelfth Street, at 11:30 o'clock
last night. He had been in impaired health for several years and his
condition had been critical since last Saturday, November 30. His age
was 79 years, 1 month and 18 days.
Funeral services will be held at the Universalist church in Waltonville at
two o'clock Friday afternoon with Elder D. E. Baker officiating. Interment
will be made in Knob Prairie Cemetery. Born on a farm near Waltonville on
October 16, 1836, Mr. Dodds was a son of John and Emeline Keller Dodds, one
of the old families of Jefferson County. He engaged in farming for a number
of years and later moved to Mt. Vernon engaging in the real estate business.
On February 11, 1880, he was united in marriage with Olive L. Gilbert at the
home of her parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Gilbert of Waltonville. On
the occasion of their golden wedding anniversary, February 11, 1930. The
Register News published an account of Mr. and Mrs. Dodds' wedded life, showing
that the entire period had been spent in Jefferson County. During much of the time
they made their home in Mt. Vernon and at other times resided on their farm.
They lived in Mt. Vernon in 1887 when the town was swept by the great cyclone
and their home was among the many razed in that disaster.
An unusual feature of the observance was that Mrs. Dodds' parents and
grandparents lived to celebrate their golden wedding anniversaries. Had Mr.
Dodds lived to February 11, 1936, he and Mrs. Dodds would have been married
56 years. Mr. and Mrs. Dodds werean unusually devoted couple and their long
married life was characterized by happiness. Always actively affiliated with
the Democratic party, Mr. Dodds was elected coroner with a large plurality in
the landslide of 1932. He made an active campaign despite his age and his
personal popularity was attested by his success. He conducted the affairs of
his office in a thorough and efficient manner, holding inquests in many
deaths. Troubled by his failing health at times, he occasionally delegated a
part of the work to assistants, but at all tiimes he fulfilled the major
duties of the position.
Mr. Dodds was a man of excellent business judgement, honest and upright in
his dealings with his fellow me,andin a long and busy life left only friends.
He never entertained feelings of ill will against anyone and his frank, open
manner, his sterling traits of character won for him the respect of all, and
the affection of those who knew him best. He is survived by his wife, five
daughters, one son, a sister and a brother. The daughters are Mrs. Myrtle E.
Norris of Waltonville, Mrs. Charles J. Thompson of Mt. Vernon, Mrs. Ruby
Hirons of St. Louis, MO, Mrs. H. E. Mannen of Mt. Vernon and Mrs. Frank E.
Reed of Sandoval, Illinois. The son is Wilburn Dodds of Denver, Colorado.
The brother is W. N. Dodds of Mt. Vernon and the sister is Mrs. Susan Hirons
of Waltonville. The body will lie in state at the Myers chapel, 122 north
tenth street, until shortly before the funeral hour.
Submitted by: "Family Links"
Feb 25, 2003